International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR) ISSN (Online): 2319-7064 Index Copernicus Value (2013): 6.14 | Impact Factor (2013): 4.438 A Comparative Study between WEP, WPA and WPA2 Security Algorithms

Tagwa Ahmed Bakri Gali1, Amin Babiker A/Nabi Mustafa2

Department of Communication Al–Neelain University

Abstract: This paper is a review study of the different security techniques that used to protect wireless networks from hackers. The main goal of this is to understand the concept of security techniques in the network and knowledge of the strengths and weakness points of these techniques in this field.

Keywords: Wireless LAN, security technique, Wired Equivalent Privacy, Wi-Fi Protected Access, Wi-Fi Protected Access 2.

1. Introduction 2.3WPA2 (Wi-Fi Protected Access 2)

A wireless network is a type of computer networks that uses The recommended solution to WEP security problems is to wireless data connections for connecting nodes. Wireless switch to WPA2. The WPA was an intermediate solution for networking is a method used by homes, telecommunications hardware that could not support WPA2. Both WPA and networks and enterprise (business) to ward off the pricey WPA2 are much more secure than WEP. [6] To add support procedure of introducing cables into a building, or to a for WPA or WPA2, some old Wi-Fi access points might connection between various equipment locations [1]. need to be replaced or have their firmware upgraded [7]. Wireless telecommunications networks are broadly put WPA was designed as an interim software-implementable through and administered using radio communication. This solution for WEP that could forestall immediate deployment implementation takes place in the physical layer (layer) of of new hardware. There are two versions of WPA2. Personal the OSI model network structure [2]. mode WPA has PSK authentication and AES/CCMP encryption. Enterprise mode WPA2 has EAP authentication and AES/CCMP encryption. 2. Methodology

Wireless Security 3. Results and Discussion Wireless security is the prevention of unauthorized access or damage to information processing systems using wireless Comparison table between the three algorithms and the networks. difference between them. WPA Contains message integrity verification to prevent the attacker from modifying or getting 2.1 WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy) messages and make sure it is right. But the fault was identified in the WPA is the use of Short- packed for It is the first encryption algorithms employed in wireless spoofing and re-injection, for that has been replaced WPA to networks [3]. It fundamentals: plain text-RC4-X OR ED - WPA2, which uses CCMP instead of TKIP and The Key stream. encryption system AES instead of RC4 with a very strong Where the WEP Providing: Authentication-Confidentiality - security, It is approaching that recommended security in Integrity -Control Access, which offers security through wireless networks today [8]. encryption keys. [4] WPA2 is a Wi-Fi Alliance branded version of the last 2.2 WPA (Wi-Fi Protected Access) 802.11i standard. The main enhancement over WPA is the inclusion of the AES-CCMP algorithm as a compulsory Because of the porosity of the WEP, the scientists had to be feature. Both WPA and WPA2 support EAP authentication discovered another way. (WPA) is similar to the WEP, but methods using RADIUS servers and pre shared key (PSK) the difference in encryption [5]. Where operations consist of [9]. The number of WPA2 and WPA networks is increasing, two options: while the number of WEP networks is falling because of the 1) AES (Advanced Encryption Standards) it is more potent security vulnerabilities in WEP. than the RC4. 2) TKIP (Temporal Key Integrity Protocol) it is compatible with WEP devices, and providing security through a

password.

There are two versions of WPA. Personal mode WPA has PSK authentication and TKIP/MIC encryption. Enterprise mode WPA has EAP authentication and TKIP/MIC encryption.

Volume 4 Issue 5, May 2015 www.ijsr.net Paper ID: SUB154986 Licensed Under Creative Commons Attribution CC BY 2390 International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR) ISSN (Online): 2319-7064 Index Copernicus Value (2013): 6.14 | Impact Factor (2013): 4.438 WPA WPA2 WEP Stands For Wi-Fi Protected Access. Wi-Fi Protected Access 2. Wired Equivalent Privacy. What Is It? A security protocol developed by A security protocol developed by A security protocol for wireless the Wi-Fi Alliance in 2003 for use the Wi-Fi Alliance in 2004 for use networks introduced in 1999 to in securing in securing wireless networks; provide data confidentiality Wireless networks. designed to replace the WEP and comparable to a traditional wired WPA protocols. network. Methods As a temporary solution to WEP's WPA2 uses the AES standard Through the use of a security problems, WPA still uses WEP's instead of the RC4 stream cipher. algorithm for IEEE 802.11 wireless insecure RC4 stream cipher, but CCMP replaces WPA's TKIP. networks, it operates to create a provides extra security through wireless network that is as strong as a TKIP. wired net. Keys Unique encryption Key. Uses the You set up your unique encryption It applies a static key. temporary key – TKIP. key. Speed A little processing power. Requires greater processing power. Not much processing power. Figure 1: Summary comparison of protection algorithms.

4. Conclusion

These comparisons made between security techniques have sacrificed our basic concept of Wireless Networks and the strengths and weaknesses of security techniques. Where can the WEP making to give the confidentiality and dependability of the information in the same confidentiality of wired networks, but with over time we have found out some of the gaps that it was necessary to get a solution for it. This is the WPA Use the same technique in WEP, but added some secrecy like TKIP. As the WPA2 is the best in terms of their confidential and reliability attributed to the difficulty of a break and has a unique encryption key, so it needs a bit of time. This makes it a better standard to be applied in wireless LAN. It is hoped that in the continuing paper, we will suggest the solution addressing WPA2 shortcomings.

References

[1] "Overview of Wireless Communications". Cambridge.org. Retrieved 8 February2008. [2] "Getting to Know Wireless Networks and Technology". Informit.com. Retrieved 8 February 2008. [3] Andrea Bittau, Mark Handley, Joshua Lackey. "The Final Nail in WEP's Coffin". Retrieved 2008-03-16 [4] "An Inductive Chosen Plaintext Attack against WEP/WEP2". cs.umd.edu. Retrieved 2008-03-16. [5] "Understanding WEP Weaknesses". Wiley Publishing. Retrieved. [6] Jonsson, Jakob. "On the Security of CTR + CBC- MAC". NIST."Wi-Fi Protected Access White Paper". Wi-Fi Alliance. WPA is both backward-compatible and is designed to run on existing Wi-Fi devices as a software download [7] "Wi-Fi Protected Access White Paper". Wi-Fi Alliance. WPA is both backward-compatible and is designed to run on existing Wi-Fi devices as a software download. 12. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wi- Fi_Protected_Access. [8] Meyers, Mike (2004). Managing and Troubleshooting Networks. McGraw Hill. ISBN 978-0-07-225665-9. [9] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wi-Fi_Protected_Access

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